Alumnus plans tribute concert for retired arts instructors

A tribute concert for Ken and Robin Brenneman is being planned for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Hilliard Davidson High School Performing Arts Center, 5100 Davidson Road.

Ken Brenneman is a retired music and choir director, and Robin Brenneman, his wife, is a retired English and drama instructor. Together, the couple directed and taught a generation of students.

Among them is Kurt Zielenbach, a 1976 graduate of Hilliard High School.

Zielenbach, like many other Hilliard alumni, continued to work with the Brennemans in productions of the Hilliard Arts Council, a community theater troupe. The Brennemans have directed arts council productions for more than 20 years.

"Ken and Robin Brenneman have been tremendous arts educators and advocates in Hilliard for over 40 years. They have touched so many during their long careers, both in Hilliard schools, as well as through their work with the Hilliard Arts Council," Zielenbach said.

"As a former student and longtime friend and admirer, I have been thinking about this and became inspired to begin organizing a tribute to Ken and Robin's service to the Hilliard community. The idea of a concert, featuring performances by former students and community theater participants that have worked under Ken and Robin's direction over these many years seemed to be a fitting tribute."

Zielenbach organized the tribute concert on Thanksgiving weekend given that many Hilliard alumni would be traveling home.

He said the concert would help raise funds for construction of the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center, slated to be built inside the future Hilliard Station Park on the west side of Center Street, between Main and Wayne streets.

"Seeing this center become a reality is a dream of Ken and Robin," Zielenbach said.

Pricing levels and more details are still being worked out, Zielenbach said. For more information, to participate or help in planning the event, contact him at five.decades.performing.arts@gmail.com.